HELOTES, Texas — Fall is just around the corner, which means the days of hot weather and backyard barbeques are numbered. Even then, a hamburger cookout is always an order away anytime of the year at one northwest side restaurant.
And it's a recipe the owner says will satisfy your inner beast.
This week, Neighborhood Eats is checking out Cuarto de Kilo.
"We started our business in 2010, and from the beginning it was a big dream to sell the best burger that I have ever had which is my mother's recipe. It reminds me of my childhood and we want to honor her with this burger," said Alvaro Aguilar, owner.
Developed in his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico, Alvaro wanted to share his family's backyard burger recipe with Americans and open his first U.S. restaurant in San Antonio. He made his dream a reality last June and now sells burgers out of his family's eatery near Helotes.
"These are Mexican mesquite grilled burgers, and we make our own patties," said Aguilar. "In American burgers, the ground beef [has] salt and pepper. We put salt, pepper, parsley and a little bit of mustard [in ours],"
His menu is ALL burgers. Literally.
To start, we tried the Fiesta Cheeseburger, which contains a third of a pound of mesquite grilled beef between two toasted buns. This is going to be a modest choice compared to their Cuarto de Kilo burgers, which are bigger than half a pound.
Our reporter recommends the Cuarto Bacon Cheeseburger. This has the big patty, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and pickle between two buns.
"Bacon makes me happy," said Aguilar. We agree.
Still Looking to feed your inner beast? Then try the Cuarto Bestia Burger. This one also has the half pound patty, pepper jack cheese, bacon and bestia sauce.
And if you love a good competition, you can complete The Beastly Challenge with any of the Cuarto burgers on the menu. Winners get their photo on the wall of the restaurant.
Sides are traditional for a burger restaurant: French fries, onion rings and a variety of dipping sauces. They also have a unique item called the cheese big chile guero for those looking for a little kick in their side dish.
Cuarto de Kilo is located 12411 Bandera Road.